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Import prices in January

The 1.3-percent advance in import prices in January marked the fourth consecutive monthly increase in this series and was led by a 6.2-percent climb in petroleum prices, the largest rise in the petroleum index since February 2003. Over the past twelve months, however, petroleum prices were up a comparatively modest 2.8 percent.

Prices for nonpetroleum imports rose 0.7 percent in January and were up 1.5 percent during the January 2003-2004 period. Overall import prices rose 1.8 percent for the year ended in January.

Export prices gained 0.5 percent in January, following a 0.2-percent rise in December.

These data are from the BLS International Price program. Import and export price data are subject to revision. Learn more in "U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes - January 2004" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 04-151.